Waterscapes aid your landscape in many different ways. Water features block ambient noise, add beauty, and (in some cases) allows an environment for new, low maintenance pets.
Here are some fun and interesting ways to incorporate waterscaping into your yard:
Create a space for small creatures
If you have plants of varied heights and types, it’s likely you will attract birds, butterflies, bumble bees, and other varied creatures that are fun to watch. You can add to that attraction with a nice water feature. There are a couple of approaches to this:
Traditional bird bath. Just a plain-Jane birdbath. Simple and effective.
Artsy fountain. The idea is to provide these creatures with a place where they can access water. Interesting fountains surrounded by small, damp stones can give various animals many places to rest, bathe, and drink. The idea is to provide a perch in water deep enough for a small bird to bathe, and shallow enough that they won’t worry about losing their footing and drowning.
Small fountains for small spaces
If all you have is a terrace, deck or balcony, you can add a small fountain to your space in order to block out the ambient noise.
Small fountains can also be a gorgeous focal point for an entryway, for a back patio, or for that uneven portion of lot that you don’t know what to do with.
You can add a small fountain by installing a terracotta pot which appears to overflow into surrounding rocks, and with the watering then recirculating back into the fountain. Another idea is to install a small sculpture or art piece with the same principle. Or to install a waterline which runs up an adjacent wall and lets the water out through a spigot or piece of tile work on the wall.
Install a water feature disguised as a raised bed
That just sound weird, right? But you can hide a pretty little water feature in among your raised beds. Add some lily pads, maybe a turtle or a couple of fish, and you have a raised pond that accents your existing raised-bed look.
Plan for a shallow stream
What is better than the sound of a babbling brook? Maybe the sound of a breeze rustling the leaves above your head as you lay back in your hammock and enjoy the harmonious sounds of nature.
If you prefer a little bit of drama, you can get a small stream installed which ends in a little waterfall. This can be especially beautiful on a multi-level yard.
Allow water plants to run wild
If you have an existing water feature that you’d like to spice up, or if you want the sound of running water, but want to keep the motif green, try adding plant life. There are some really gorgeous water plants that can add texture and dimension to your landscape.
Here’s to a visually and aurally beautiful yard!